Endoscopic suture clip applying device with heater

Abstract

A method of clamping suture strand by applying heat and compressive force to a polymeric surgical clip having first and second opposed leg members so as to clamp the suture strand between the opposed inner clamping surfaces of the first and second leg members; a surgical clip defined by first and second leg members, the first leg member having a hole therein; and a surgical device for clamping a clip about a suture, such device defined by a trigger-activated handle, clamping jaws with a heating element disposed on one of the clamping members of the clamping jaws, a shaft connecting the jaws to the handle, and means for activating the heating element and for delivering compressive force to the clamping jaws to close the clip about a suture.

We claim: 
     
       1. A surgical clip applying device comprising: a) a handle having a base and an actuating trigger movably attached to said base,   b) clamping jaws having first and second opposed clamping members, said first clamping member having a first grasping means and said second clamping member having a second grasping means wherein the first and second grasping means are configured on the opposing clamping members to grasp the outer surfaces of a surgical clip when compressive force is applied to the surgical clip via the clamping jaws,   c) a tubular shaft for connecting said handle to said clamping jaws,   d) a longitudinal shaft connected to said handle and positioned between said clamping jaws for retaining one or more surgical clips,   e) a heating element incorporated in the distal end of the longitudinal shaft for heating a surgical clip,   f) a first means for activating said heating element,   g) a second means for delivering compressive force to said first and second opposed clamping members of said clamping jaws.   
     
     
       2. The surgical clip applying device of claim 1 wherein said base of said handle has a contact switch disposed on the surface thereof. 
     
     
       3. The surgical clip applying device of claim 2 wherein said first and second means are activated by squeezing said trigger of said handle so as to cause contact between said trigger and said contact switch thereby activating said switch. 
     
     
       4. In combination a surgical clip applying device and a surgical clip for use therewith comprising: a) a surgical clip having a first and second leg members, each leg member having an outer grasping surface, a clamping inner surface, and an outer distal surface connecting said outer grasping surface to said clamping inner surface, said clamping inner surface being in opposition to the clamping inner surface of the other leg member, said first leg member having a hole therein,   b) handle having a base and an actuating trigger movably attached to said base,   c) clamping jaws having first and second opposed clamping members, said first clamping member having a first grasping means and said second clamping member having a second grasping means wherein the first and second grasping means are configured on the opposing clamping members to grasp the outer surfaces of a surgical clip when compressive force is applied to the surgical clip via the clamping jaws,   d) a tubular shaft for connecting said handle to said clamping jaws,   e) a longitudinal shaft connected to said handle and positioned between said clamping jaws retaining one or more surgical clips,   f) a heating element incorporated in the distal end of the longitudinal shaft for heating a surgical clip,   g) a first means for activating said heating element,   h) a second means for delivering compressive force to said first and second opposed clamping members of said clamping jaws.   
     
     
       5. The surgical clip applying device of claim 2 wherein said base of said handle has a contact switch disposed on the surface thereof. 
     
     
       6. The surgical clip applying device of claim 2 wherein said first and second means are activated by squeezing said trigger of said handle so as to cause contact between said trigger and said contact switch thereby activating said switch. 
     
     
       7. In combination a surgical clip applying device and a surgical clip for use therewith comprising: a) a surgical clip having a first and second leg members, each leg member having an outer grasping surface, a clamping inner surface, and an outer distal surface connecting said outer grasping surface to said clamping inner surface, said clamping inner surface being in opposition to the clamping inner surface of the other leg member, said first leg member having a hole therein,   b) handle having a base and an actuating trigger movably attached to said base,   c) clamping jaws having a first and second opposed clamping members, said first clamping member having a first grasping means and said second clamping member having a second grasping means wherein the first and second grasping means are configured on the opposing clamping members to grasp the other surfaces of a surgical clip when compressive force is applied to the surgical clip via the clamping jaws,   d) a tubular shaft for connecting said handle to said clamping jaws,   e) a longitudinal shaft connected to said handle and positioned between said clamping jaws retaining one or more surgical clips,   f) a heating element disposed on said first clamping member for heating a surgical clip,   g) a first means for activating said heating element,   h) a second means for delivering compressive force to said first and second opposed clamping members of said clamping jaws.   
     
     
       8. The surgical clip applying device of claim 2 wherein said base of said handle has a contact switch disposed on the surface thereof. 
     
     
       9. The surgical device of claim 7 wherein said first and second means are activated by squeezing said trigger of said handle so as to cause contact between said trigger and said contact switch thereby activating said switch.